What starts out as forgetfulness or confusion often progresses to a state where the person can no longer make sound personal decisions and suffers from cognitive impairment. At this point, for your loved one's wellbeing, you are faced with a decision on having her declared mentally incompetent. Laws regarding who might petition the court for this declaration and related guardianship regulations vary according to state.
Medical Definition of PREFRONTAL CORTEX. : the gray matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.ADVERTISEMENT.noun. the gray matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Etymology: L, prae + frons, forehead; Gk, lobos, lobe, temnein, to cut. a surgical procedure in which connecting fibers between the prefrontal lobes of the brain and the thalamus are severed. An archaic technique, it is rarely used today but formerly was an accepted procedure for treating schizophrenic patients with uncontrollable, destructive behavior. After surgery patients were often apathetic, docile, and lacking social graces and decision-making abilities of even the simplest kind. If only the white fibers are severed, the procedure is called a prefrontal leukotomy.